Renovation Tips For A Classic, Not Trendy, Home

Here’s the dilemma. You’re getting ready to redo your kitchen and you want it to be stylish and modern but not trendy. After all, this is the only kitchen renovation you ever plan to do and you don’t want it to be outdated before you are even finished with the final touches.

If you’re paralyzed because you’re afraid of making the wrong decision, we get it. We’re facing a similar dilemma here, FYI, with floors that need to be done and so many options from which to choose and no winner (yet) because it’s not yet clear if what is currently hot is just a flash in the (floor) pan or will stick around for a while.

So how do you know how to choose? First, it depends on what your goals are. If you’re just looking to update and then sell your house, choosing materials that are trending now may be a good call. If you’re thinking, “I want to love this and have it still look good in 10 years,” that’s another story.

“You’ve probably taken on a renovation project because you want to update the style. While you’d like to give your home a modern look, choosing a short-lived style or personal design is a major fail,” said HomeAdvisor. “While a trendy design is sure to make your home stand out, it’s also going to quickly go out of style. This is a big problem if you want to resell your home in the future. Modernize the look of your kitchen or bathroom, but avoid bold styles that only appeal to those with specific tastes.”

nytimes.com

Go neutral

Yes, neutral can be boring. It’s true. (It can also be super chic when done right.) Making a bold choice with your kitchen countertops might feel like the right way to go right now, but you may turn around in a couple years and regret that choice, especially if you’re going to try to sell your home. You can always bring in pops of color with accessories or items that are easier to replace or redo.

For the last several years, grey has been the go-to color for homes. Prior to that, it was beige – a color that is currently seeing a resurgence even though grey is not gone – yet. Black and white is another currently hot option for color schemes, and, the bonus is, “black and white remains a classic combination,” said HGTV. Certain colors will never go out of style – House Beautiful has 10 of them. But remember that no matter what color you choose, it’s not permanent. Painting is one of the easiest ways to update your space and change the mood whenever you like.

Just keep in mind that high ceilings and other architectural features may make a DIY situation un-DIY-able and may make a redo more expensive because you have to hire someone. Key in on walls that don’t soar to a pitched ceiling or that can act as a focal wall for high-impact that’s easy to accomplish yourself.

Be smart about your kitchen

You may have a desired look cemented in your head for your kitchen, but are you making smart choices? Shaker cabinets, farmhouse sinks, and marble countertops are a few good options if you want something that looks modern but “will stand the test of time and still look as beautiful twenty years from now as it does today,” said Apartment Therapy.

Go eclectic with your furniture

An entire house full of mid-century modern furniture can begin to look like a showroom, and when the trend is over, it can be painful to replace it all. Creating a more eclectic look with an eye toward classic pieces creates staying power. Adding in a vintage piece or two can add another important layer. “A design rule that’s sure to remain true? Every room in your home needs a unique vintage piece,” said HGTV. “Even in newly-decorated spaces, distressed or worn pieces create a collected, designer look.”

Avoid hyper trends in larger items

Drapery, rugs, and bedding can be easily changed out to accommodate your fickle design taste. But when it comes to the larger pieces in the home – a couch or a set of chairs, perhaps, avoid trends will give you longevity. “Timeless decor means fabrics that will stand up to years of changing trends! They transcend those changes,” said Stone Gable. “Don’t rush out and buy foundational furniture in the ‘color of the year’! It’s only the ‘color of the year’ for one year! Choose colors and patterns, especially when buying big ticket items, that will still look amazing when this year’s trends have come and gone. Add layers of accent decor like lamps, art, tableware, pillows, bedding, etc. in more updated colors and styles. They can be changed out easily when they get tired or are out of style.”